What Bruce says is that this shows us that both the right-wing and left-wing theories of addiction are wrong. The right-wing theory of addiction is that it’s a moral failing and hedonist. The left-wing theory is that you get taken over, your brain is hijacked. Bruce says, It’s not your morality, it’s not your brain — it’s your cage. Addiction is an adaptation to your environment. Human beings need to connect, and when we can’t connect with each other, because we’re traumatized or beaten down or cut off, we will connect with something that will give us some sense of relief or pleasure. If you can’t bond with people, you will obsessively bond with something that gives you some sense of purpose.

Everything You Think You Know About Addiction and the War on Drugs Is Wrong – Mic.